She calls her students her kids and when she loses one to disinterest or the lure of the streets, it pains her as if it were her own kin.
DEPTFORD TWP. — She calls her students her kids and when she loses one to dispassion or the lure of the streets, it pains her as though it were her own kin.
When some of her students come into class hungry, which is often, she has a box of granola bars waiting for them, which she purchases from her own pocket.
Megan Spoltore, an English teacher at Camelot Camden City Transitional Academy, was taken by surprise Thursday afternoon when she entered the Walmart on Clements Bridge Road and was welcomed with a roaring round of applause in recognition for her outstanding work as an educator. She received a $513 gift card and a back-to-school survival kit which included an iPad.
Based on a 2014 survey on teachers' spending behavior — which found that teachers in the U.S. spend an average of $513 on out-of-pocket classroom supplies and other materials — Walmart donated gift cards and gift baskets to exceptional teachers all over the country.
"We are used to getting by with as little as possible," Spoltore said. "We don't have the same technology that bigger districts (receive). In today's world, we assume that everyone has a smartphone and a computer, but ... my kids don't have that."
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Spoltore says people also don't realize how many students go to school hungry because they are food insecure.
Which is why she does what she can to provide nutrition to her students so they can make it through the school day.
"I always have granola bars in my desk," she said. "You can't expect kids to achieve their highest potential if they are hungry."
Spoltore doesn't see this as a burden, but a duty that she said she is more than willing to accept.
For her, the job isn't merely one to be punched in and out of everyday. It follows her everywhere.
Teachers in the Camden School District often have to deal with losing students, whether because of a lack of interest in academics, the lure of the streets or street violence.
And Spoltore admits she has difficulty separating her job from her personal life. She has two young kids of her own.
"It is hard emotionally in Camden," she said. "I've lost kids. I found out I had a student get shot a few weeks ago and it's hard when you care that much, even though they are not your own."
Thankfully, she said, the student survived the incident.
But even in moments of frustration, she never allows herself to feel defeated or cynical. And, most of all, she never closes the door on any of her students if they want to come back and give school another try.
During the celebration, Spoltore choked up as Walmart store manager Joseph Bakalar thanked her for her outstanding work.
Dr. Jonathan Ogbonna, principal of Camelot Camden City Transitional Academy, said Walmart contacted the school district over the summer looking to recognize an outstanding teacher. Spoltore was randomly selected out of all the outstanding teachers in the school district evaluated on their abilities as highly effective educators.
"It was awesome. Out of all the teachers, all of the schools, she was picked," said Ogbonna, who attended the surprise celebration.
He was excited that the students would be able to use the supplies and iPad for school projects. The students will share the iPad.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. follow him on twitter @spencermkent. find the south jersey times on facebook.